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Sometimes Ranch Life Sucks

This post is a brief tribute to a few of the animals we've lost lately.

Fluff was not just an all-around fabulous barn cat.... she was our favorite barn cat. She had the sweetest disposition, and loved following us around as we did chores every day. As is common with farm animals, we're not sure what happened to her. She didn't show up in the evening to eat, and when I didn't see her the next day, I knew she was no longer with us. There are so many predators out here -- coyotes, owls, and numerous other threats. Even though Fluff was a very savvy cat - she seemed to realize the dangers - something finally caught up to her.

We miss her all the time.

The recent heat proved too much for our little Ameraucana hen, Midge. I noticed her in a corner of the coop last Monday evening, but later when I checked on her, she was up on the roost with the rest of the birds, so I thought she was doing better. Alas, the next morning she was laying on the floor beneath the roost. No more bluish-white eggs to add variety to our dozens, just brown eggs now. Perhaps next year we'll add a few hens to our flock. For now, 4 hens and a rooster-that-will-not-be-with-us much longer is enough.

At any rate, just thought I'd mention that even though we love our life out here, sometimes it's not all rosy like I might paint it. True farm people are used to these occurrences I'm sure, but let's remember.... I'm not a true farm person! I'm a fake, a fraud.... I'm a city gal relocated to the country, and add to that my love for animals, then it makes it tough for me when something happens to one of the creatures in our menagerie.

Even with the doses of real life, though, I still love our prairie life and wouldn't trade it for a minute of city living, nosireeeee!!

16 comments:

Sorry about your loss...We also have lost this hot hot year...You can see a picture of Olive the cat on my blog; she also just disappeared one day last week; cats do that sometimes...and the heat was too much for Bunny Rabbit...he's buried out back...He was with us for many years in our living room...we miss him and have not as yet moved his living quarters...Yes, farm life can be difficult...

Ah hun, just because you grieve the loss of animals makes you no fake! I'm so sorry about your precious Fluff and sweet little Midge. Country living is not easy. Ever. But you just take it as it's dealt and roll with the punches. Just a little note..... during the heat, if you notice a puny chicken, just put her/him in a little barely cool water (definitely NOT cold water) for a few minutes. Just make sure the legs and breast are covered in the water. It will bring the body temp down temporarily. But I have found it helps with heat exhausted chickens. (((hugs)))

I think even if I was a born and bred country girl, I'd still have issues with loss on the farm. I'm just a very sensitive person like that; I do understand 'the circle of life' but you do have to take time to grieve, too!

Aww Susan that's a real shame...Midge and Fluff were sweethearts. It's always hard to loose animal friends even if you are a hard core 'farmgirl' which I am not either. I just wanted to add this...you are NO fake...you are a transplanted city girl who is learning country ways and I'd say you're doing a real good job of it. I hope you're enjoying this cooler weather like I am although the humidity is horrible. I'd rather have this than that scorching heat though. Take care.Maura (Lilac Lane Cottage)

I am so very sorry...The one thing I know about loving my animals is that I would rather love and have to say goodbye some day..than never have had their unconditional love at all!Blessings to you sweet friend!xo, misha

It's never easy to lose our critters no matter we live in the city or the country, whether it's a hamster or chicken, rabbit or cat, dog or bird. How did the genies(sp?) fare with the heat? And you are absolutely no fraud - you've lived the country life for several years now, and that makes you a genuine country girl in my book!

Oz Girl, it's good to see you back blogging again. It's been difficult for me to keep up with the media even though I'm retired and have all this time on my hands. Yeah, right. Farm life has its ups and downs. The loss of one of the barnyard pets is definitely a downer. Even though I'm well in my 60s, I can still remember the first dog (Hazel) that was our farm dog. She also just came up missing one day. Outdoor life on the farm is a dangerous life to live. I do think that missing and not knowing what happened is better than coming back home with death injuries that just can't be fixed. I've had to deal with both and missing is better.

The extreme heat seems to be over for a time here in Nebraska but we need rain badly or the big farm crops will be affected. I've been hauling close to 100 gallons of water three or four times a week to my new big garden (Terra Nova Gardens) just keep it in the survival mode. Early mornings (5:00am) have been the rule to water. Since there's not electricity on the property gravity feed from the water barrels and a 70 foot hose has been the way it all gets watered.